Combo suction regulator for medical use

ABSTRACT

A combo suction regulator for medical use which comprises a cover (casing), a vacuum gauge, a regulating module, a integrated flow channel module, an intermittent timer regulating means, a mode select switch, a vacuum relief and air buffer, wherein a flow channel board and a bottom board coupled with each other to form the integrated flow channel module; the air buffer are disposed inside the casing on the board surface of the flow channel board which forms part of the integrated flow channel module, and tow holes disposed at a bottom part thereof for communicating corresponding flow channels of the integrated flow channel module; a sleeve seat is disposed at the center for installing vacuum gauge. The probe/adapter port is used to input of vacuum source and needle vales are used to timer adjusting in the bottom board at a middle part thereof; the flow channel board has a pole on a front side thereof for installing the mode select switch, and channel holes for communicating with flow channels on the flow channel board thereof; in a lower part of the flow channel board, an sleeve seat is disposed for installing the regulating module, which communicates with a flow channel on the flow channel board and adjusts the output vacuum; the fitting port is used to output of the suction regulator and disposed the bottom side. The intermittent timer module comprises the diaphragm piston disposed on one side and the change valve disposed on another side of the middle part of the front side of the flow channel board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum regulating means for medical use and more particularly pertains to a combo suction regulator for medical use which is mainly used for clinical vacuum suction.

A suction regulator is a regulation means for controlling the vacuum and flow of the vacuum source from a vacuum terminal of a vacuum supply system. It forms a suction system with a liquid collection bottle for clinical liquid suction. See FIG. 1 the construction of the system.

There are two types suction regulators now available in the marketplace:

(a) Normal suction regulators: the operation mode is continuous suction mode which can be further divided into two operation modes, namely vacuum regulable operation and full direct operation. They can satisfy the needs of general clinical vacuum suction (respiratory tract and mouth cavity).

(b) Intermittent suction regulators: the operation modes are intermittent suction mode and as well as continuous suction mode. The continuous suction mode is the same as that of normal regulable operation mode. When the intermittent suction mode is selected, under the effect of an intermittent timer the suction operation is switched on and off in a predetermined time period to allow an intermittent suction mode.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to resolve the problem that in special situations or conditions, using continuous suction regulators can be discontinued by blockage of the suction mouth by human soft tissues or by other articles.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a cover (casing) (1), a vacuum gauge (2), a regulating module (3), mode select switch (4), an intermittent timer module (5), a body module (integrated flow channel module) (6), an air buffer (7), a vacuum relief (8) wherein (see FIGS. 2, 3):

A. the air buffer (7) is disposed inside the cover (1) and integrally formed as a whole with the body module (integrated flow channel module) (6), two holes are disposed under the bottom on right and left side of air buffer (7) for connecting flow channel of the body module (integrated flow channel module) (6) that are susceptible to interference (see FIG. 4);

B. a flow channel board (6-1) and a bottom board (6-2) coupled with each other to form the body module (integrated flow channel module) (6); there is probe/adapter port (P1) for connecting with an input vacuum source and three timer regulating needle valves (T0,T1,T2) for communicating with corresponding flow channel to adjust time of the intermittent timer (5) at the middle of back of body module (integrated flow channel module) (6); and in the front of body module (integrated flow channel module) (6), there are a pole (6A) at an upper end thereof for installing a mode select switch (4) and four to six holes Sf1-Sf6 for communicating with flow channels and a sleeve seat (6B) for vacuum gauge. In a middle part of a front side of the flow channel board (6-1), a metal pole (6C), path hole, and a valve seat (5-2-1) of the change valve (5-2) are disposed for connecting to a intermittent timer (5). At a lower part of the front of the flow channel board (6-1), another sleeve seat (6D) is disposed for installing the regulating module (3). At a bottom side, there is a fitting port (P2) for outlet of the suction regulator (see FIG. 4).

C. the intermittent timer module (5) comprises diaphragm piston (5-1) and the change valve (5-2) disposed on the middle part of the front side of body module (integrated flow channel module) (6); the diaphragm piston (5-1) comprises mainly body (5-1-1), a diaphragm (5-1-2), a return spring (5-1-3), a piston rod (5-1-4); the change valve (5-2) comprises mainly a connecting rod (5-2-5), a crank (5-2-4) and a torsion spring (5-2-3); a valve plate (5-2-2) and a valve seat (5-2.1) assembled on the body module (see FIG. 7).

The flow channel board (6-1) has six connection holes Sf1-Sf6 at the upper end of the front side thereof, and six corresponding holes Sb1-Sb6 on the back side thereof; the six connection holes Sf1-Sf6 and the flow channel S1, S2 on the mode select switch (4) form a mode selector (see FIGS. 5,6).

The valve seat (5-2-1) in the middle part of the front side of the flow channel board (6-1) have six channel holes Qf1-Qf6 and the valve plate (5-2-2) have three channels C1,C2,C3, which form change valve (5-2). Six corresponding holes Qb1-Qb6 on the back side thereof; five of the channel holes communicate with the corresponding flow channels on the back side of the flow channel board (see FIGS. 5, 7).

The middle part of the front side of the flow channel board has two holes Pf1, Pf2 which communicate with the air buffer (7) (see FIG. 4).

The J1,J2,J3 on the flow channel board (6-1) are corresponding needle valve T0,T1,T2 (see FIGS. 5,6).

In comparison with the conventional suction regulators for medical use, the whole construction of the present invention based on the above technical solutions is more compact and aesthetically pleasing as the air buffer is disposed inside the instrument. Moreover, through combination of the special flow channels on the inner surface of the flow channel board which forms a part of the integrated flow channel module (6), the “instant off” or “instant on” suction mode can be got by changing only one part (valve plate(5-2-2)) (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the setup of the intermittent time is changed from inside to outside, resulting in very convenient time setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 the construction of the suction system;

FIG. 2 assembling drawing;

FIG. 3 exploded view;

FIG. 4 exploded view of body module, air buffer, intermittent timer module;

FIG. 5 back view and the channel of mode select switch;

FIG. 6 flow channel body;

FIG. 7 exploded view of intermittent timer module;

FIG. 8 diagram of “Instant off” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 9 Process flowing diagram of continue mode of “Instant off” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 10 process flow diagram of close situation of intermittent mode of “Instant off” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 11 diagram of flow path of intermittent of open situation of “Instant off” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 12 diagram of “Instant on” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 13 process flow diagram of continue mode of “Instant on” combo suction regulator;

FIG. 14 process flow diagram of open situation of intermittent mode of “Instant on” combo suction regulator.

FIG. 15 process flow diagram of close situation of intermittent mode of “Instant on” combo suction regulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is further described in detail with the following embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

As shown in the drawings, the present invention is an inventive improvement to conventional devices having the same function. The improved technical proposal is detailed in the following. The combo suction regulator for medical use of the present invention generally comprises a cover (casing) (1), a vacuum gauge (2), a regulating module (3), a integrated flow channel module (6), an intermittent timer (5), air buffer (7) wherein:

A. The air buffer (7) are disposed inside the cover (casing) (1) and integrally formed as a whole with the integrated flow channel module (6). The air buffer has two air holes disposed at a bottom part thereof for communicating the flow channels of the integrated flow channel module (6) that are susceptible to interference.

B. A flow channel board (6-1) and a bottom board (6-2) coupled with each other to form the integrated flow channel module (6). The flow channel bottom board has a probe/adapter port (P1) at a middle part thereof for connecting with an input vacuum source, and three timer regulating needle valves (T0, T1, T2) on a bottom board surface thereof for communicating with corresponding flow channels. The flow channel board (6-1) has a pole (6A) at an upper end thereof for installing a mode select switch (4) and four to six shifting connection holes Sf1-Sf6 for communicating with flow channels on the back side of the flow channel board and a sleeve seat (6B) for vacuum gauge. In a middle part of a front side of the flow channel board, a metal pole (6C), path hole and a valve seat (5-2-1) are disposed which are all connected to a intermittent timer. In a lower part of the front side of the flow channel board, a sleeve seat (6D) is disposed for installing the regulating module (3). In the sleeve seat, there are channel mouths for communicating with a flow channel on the back side of the flow channel board. There is a fitting port for outlet of the suction regulator at the bottom of the flow channel board.

C. The intermittent timer module (5) comprises diaphragm piston (5-1) and the change valve (5-2) disposed on the middle part of the front side of body module (integrated flow channel module) (6); the diaphragm piston (5-1) comprises mainly a piston body (5-1-1), diaphragm (5-1-2), a return spring (5-1-3), piston rod (5-1-4); the change valve (5-2) comprises mainly a connecting rod (5-2-5), a crank (5-2-4) and a torsion spring (5-2-3); a valve plate (5-2-2) and a valve seat (5-2.1); the diaphragm piston (5-1) connects to the change valve (5-2) through the piston rod (5-1-4).

When the “instant on” suction regulator is in intermittent mode, originally main path of the change valve is blocked and the controlling path of change valve is open, the vacuum source can enters the diaphragm piston (5-1) through the change valve and the regulation of the needle valve (T0) and the air buffer, the diaphragm piston (5-1) overcomes the force of the return spring (5-1-2) inside the diaphragm piston (5-1) and gradually pulls the piston rod (5-1-4) to actuate the connecting rod (5-2-5) of the change valve (5-2) to rotate around the pole (6C). When the connecting rod rotates to a critical position, the crank loses its stability under the action of the torsion spring (5-2-4) of the change valve, and the torsion spring acts on the crank to actuate the valve plate (5-2-2) of the change valve to rotate rapidly, thereby forcing the flow channels of the change valve to be shifted and the directions of the main gas path and the controlling gas path to be changed. The blocked main path is unblocked; the controlling path is blocked and the vacuum in the diaphragm piston (5-1) is relief. Under the action of the return spring, the diaphragm piston and the connecting rod and other components start to return to their original positions. When it goes back to another critical position, the crank again loses its stability, and the crank actuates the valve plate of the change valve to rotate rapidly to the original position under the effect of the torsion spring. The flow channels again shift back to their original status and a circle is completed. The vacuum resource enters the timer (5) and the operation repeats. In the other way round, the “instant on” combo suction regulator is first on and second off while the valve plate is replaced.

The flow channel board has four to six shifting connection holes Sf1-Sf6 at the upper end of the front side thereof, and six corresponding holes Sb1-Sb6 on the back side thereof. The six shifting connection holes Sf1-Sf6 form a mode selector with the flow channels S1, S2 of the mode select switch (see FIGS. 5, 6).

The valve seat of the change valve (5-2) in the middle part of the front side of the flow channel board have six channel holes Qf1-Qf6 and six corresponding holes Qb1-Qb6 on the back side thereof. The valve plate of the change valve (5-2) has flow channels C1-C3 which form slide valve with the six channel holes Qf1-Qf6 on the valve seat (5-2-1). There are two types of valve plate for “instant off” and “instant on” respectively (see FIG. 7).

The middle part of the front side of the flow channel board has two holes Pf1, Pf2 which communicate with the two holes at the bottom part of the air buffer (7).

The J1, J2, J3 on the flow channel board (6-1) are corresponding needle valve T0, T1, T2 (see FIGS. 5,6). Thereinto, T0, T2 is used only for “instant off”.

The present invention is described in view of the above embodiment, but those skilled in the art shall understand that the above embodiment is only used for describing the present invention. The present invention is capable of other embodiments by making different variations and amendments and is not limited by the above embodiment. Any other variations or changes, whether in substance or in principle, not deviated from the spirit of the present invention, fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Operation Principle

A) Off Operation Mode

When the operation mode select switch (4) of the present invention is turned to the middle position (OFF), vacuum source enters the flow channel L1 from the probe/adapter port (P1) to reach Sb1 and then Sf1 at the front side of flow channel board. Sf1 is blocked by the mode select switch (4), the vacuum source is cut and the system is closed. The operation mode is off and the suction regulator does not work.

B) Continuous Operation Mode

When the mode select switch (4) is turned to the left position (CONT), the operation mode is continuous. Vacuum source enters the integrated flow channel module (6) from the probe/adapter port (P1). The flow channel S1 of the mode select switch (4) enables Sf1 to communicate with Sf2, and the vacuum source enters Sb2 and then the regulating module through the flow channel L2. The vacuum source is then output from the fitting port (P2) after the adjustment of the vacuum level to allow continuous suction operation. At this time, the suction regulator is in the continuous operation mode (see FIGS. 6, 8, 9).

C) Intermittent Operation Mode of “Instant Off”

When the mode select switch (4) is turned to the right position (INT), the operation mode is intermittent:

1) First the suction regulator is off (for the “instant on” is on) The vacuum enters the flow channel integrated flow channel module (6) from the probe/adapter port (P1) and reaches the change valve (5-2-1) through Sf1,S2,Sf6 and channel L3 in the integrated flow channel module (6) and the mode select switch (4). At this time, the main channel of the change valve is a closed mode and the suction regulator is stopped. The controlling channel of the change valve is in an open mode (see FIG. 10, the block line is main channel, dot line is controlling channel).

2) The vacuum source enters the diaphragm piston (5-1) of the timer (5) through Qf1, C3, Qf3, air buffer and by adjustment of T0. Under the effect of vacuum, the diaphragm piston (5-1) pulls the connecting rod (5-2-5). When the connecting rod reaches a critical position, the crank (5-2-3) loses its stability under the action of the torsion spring (5-2-4), and the crank (5-2-3) actuates the valve plate (5-2-2) to rotate rapidly and thereby forcing the change valve (5-2) to change its status. The directions of paths are changed and the main channel of the change valve becomes open and the controlling channel becomes close (see FIG. 10).

3) The vacuum enters the regulating module (3) through S1 channel of the mode select switch. The output vacuum at the fitting port (P2) can be set to the desired value by adjusting knob of the regulating module (3). The suction operation starts.

At the same time, after the controlling channel is closed, the vacuum in diaphragm piston (5-1) is cut and under the effect of the return spring the vacuum begins to release. The speed of vacuum relief is adjusted by the needle valve (T2), and the timer (5) slowly returns to its original position. When the diaphragm piston (5-1) returns a critical position, the crank (5-2-3) loses its stability again under the action of the torsion spring (5-2-4), and the crank actuates the valve plate (5-2-2) to rotate rapidly and thereby forcing the change valve to change its status. The channel return to their original status and a cycle is completed.

The detailed operation process of the above operation principle is as follows:

A) When the mode select switch is turned to the right position, the flow channel S2 of the mode select switch (4) enables Sf1 to communicate with Sf6, and the vacuum enters the inlet Qb1 of the change valve through the flow channel L3 from Sb6 and then reaches Qf1 at the front side. The main channel is blocked by valve plate (5-2-2) of change valve and is in a close mode. At the same time, the flow channel C3 of the valve plate (5-2-4) enables Qf1, Qf2 and Qf3 to communicate with each other, and the vacuum is sequentially sucked into Qb3, the needle valve T0 and Pf2, and by effectively making use of the air buffer (7), the vacuum jumps over the flow channels board and enters Pf1, Pb1, Pb3 and Pf3 and to the diaphragm piston (5-1) so as to begin the operation of the timer in order to pull the connecting rod of the change valve.

B) When the connecting rod (5-2-5) moves to the critical position, the crank (5-2-3) loses its stability under the action of the torsion spring, and the crank actuates valve plate (5-2-2) to rotate rapidly and thereby forcing the change valve to change its status. The directions of the channels are changed. The flow channel C3 of the valve plate of the change valve enables Qf6, Qf1 and Qf2 to communicate with each other, and the vacuum reaches Sf3 through Qb6, the flow channel L4 and Sb3 and then enters Sf4, Sb4 and Sb2 through S1 and reaches the regulating module. After adjustment of the vacuum value, vacuum is output from the fitting port (P2); a suction operation mode is established. At the same time, the flow channel C1 of the valve plate (5-2-2) of the change valve enables Qf4 and Qf3 to communicate with each other, and the controlling circuit is connected with the atmosphere. The vacuum in the diaphragm piston communicates with the atmosphere through Pf3, Pb3, Pb1, Pf1, Pf2, the needle valve T0, Qb3, Qf3, Qf4, Qb4 and the needle valve T2 and the vacuum in the channel is released. The return spring (5-1-2) in the diaphragm piston actuates the piston to return to its original position to allow the reset movement of the timer (5).

C) When the timer return a critical position, the crank loses its stability again under the action of the torsion spring, and the crank actuates the change valve to rotate rapidly and thereby forcing the change valve to change its status. The paths return to their original status and a cycle is completed.

For “instant on”, The valve plate must be replaced and channel C1, C2, C3 are changed. The operation of suction is setup firstly and then the suction is closed by change valve. The operation process of the principle is like the “instant off” (see FIGS. 12,13,14,15) 

1. A combo suction regulator for medical use which comprises a cover (casing), a vacuum gauge, a regulating module, a integrated flow channel module, an intermittent timer module, a mode select switch, a vacuum relief and an air buffer, wherein: A. the air buffer is disposed inside the casing and integrally formed as a whole with the integrated flow channel module, there are two holes disposed at a bottom of the air buffer thereof for communicating corresponding the holes of flow channels that are susceptible to interference in the integrated flow channel module; B. a flow channel board and a bottom board coupled with each other to form the integrated flow channel module; the bottom board has a probe/adapter port at a middle part thereof which connects with an input vacuum source via a threaded connecting inlet, and three needle valves on a board surface thereof for communicating with corresponding flow channels and adjusting the time on and off; the flow channel board has a pole at an upper end of a front side thereof for installing the mode select switch, and four to six connection holes for communicating with flow channels on the flow channel board; in a middle part of the front side of the flow channel board, a metal pole, a channel hole and a valve seat of a change valve are disposed which are all connected to a intermittent timer; in a lower part of the front side of the flow channel board, an sleeve seat for installing the regulating module is disposed, which have mouths communicating with flow channel; and a fitting port at a bottom side thereof with a threaded is outlet of the suction regulator output; C. the intermittent timer module comprises the diaphragm piston disposed on one side and the change valve disposed on another side of the middle part of the front side of the flow channel board; the diaphragm piston comprises mainly a body, a diaphragm, a return spring and piston rod; the change valve comprises mainly a connecting rod, a crank and a torsion spring, a valve plate and a valve seat; the diaphragm piston connects to and controls the change valve through the piston rod.
 2. The combo suction regulator for medical use as in claim 1, wherein the flow channel board has six channel holes Sf1-Sf6 at the upper end of the front side thereof, and six corresponding holes Sb1-Sb6 on the back side thereof;
 3. The combo suction regulator for medical use as in claim 1, wherein one side of the mode select switch has flow channels S1, S2, which form a mode selector with the channel holes Sf1-Sf6 of on flow channel board.
 4. The combo suction regulator for medical use as in claim 1, wherein the valve seat of the change valve have six channel holes Qf1-Qf6 in the middle part of the front side of the flow channel board and six corresponding holes Qb1-Qb6 on the back side.
 5. The combo suction regulator for medical use as in claim 1, wherein the valve plate of the change valve has flow channels C1, C2, C3 which form the change valve with the six channel holes Qf1-Qf6 on the valve seat, the “instant off” and “instant on” can be got by changing flow channels C1, C2, C3.
 6. The combo suction regulator for medical use as in claim 1, wherein three timer regulating needle valves (T0,T1,T2) are on the back of body module (integrated flow channel module and used for communicating with corresponding flow channel to adjust time of the intermittent timer. 